‘Black Panther 2’: Ryan Coogler Says Writing Without Chadwick Boseman “Hurts And Stings, But It’s Also Motivating”

Six months after Chadwick Boseman‘s passing, director Ryan Coogler opened up about how the actor’s death affected him not only personally, but also the huge challenges of reworking the script to “Black Panther 2” without him.

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In a recent interview on the Jemele Hill Is Unbothered podcast, Coogler opened up about dealing with the loss of Boseman. “I’m still currently going through it,” Coogler said of losing not only a colleague, but a friend. “One thing that I’ve learned in my short or long time on this Earth is that it’s very difficult to have perspective on something while you’re going through it. This is one of the more profound things that I’ve gone through in my life, having to be a part of keeping this project going without this particular person who is like the glue who held it together.”

“That said, you have a professional life, you’ve got a personal life,” Coogler added. “Personal life, I’m going to say that when you work in something that you love, those things blend, they come together. I’m trying to find a work-life balance. But I’m not there yet, so this is without a question the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my professional life.”

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Marvel has already confirmed that Boseman’s role as T’Challa in the “Black Panther” franchise will not be reprised for the sequel, meaning Coogler is currently reworking the story to continue even without its main lead. “This one hurts and stings, but it’s also incredibly motivating,” Coogler said of continuing to work on the film. “I’m incredibly sad to lose him but I’m also incredibly motivated that I got to spend time with him. You spend your life hearing about people like him. For this individual, who is an ancestor now, I was there for it. It’s such an incredible privilege that fills you up as much as it knocks you out. So often as Black people, we have to pick up the pieces after loss.”